Getting Married in the State of Illinois

Click Here for our Printer Friendly Information Sheet

Eligibility & Requirements

Age:

Under Illinois law, persons that are 18 years of age who are not blood relatives, first cousins older than 50 years of age, and persons who are 16/17 years of age with sworn consent from each parent, each legal guardian, or a judge, appearing in person before the county clerk and providing proper identification may be married in the State of Illinois.

Identification:

Identification and proof of age are required.  Both requirements can be satisfied with a valid U.S. driver's license, U.S. state identification card, U.S. passport, U.S. military identification card, or Illinois Department of Public Aid card (both ID & medical card).  If you do not have any of these forms of identification, you must present two secondary forms of identification.  Acceptable secondary forms of identification include a certified copy of a birth certificate, baptismal record (with date of birth on record), valid foreign passport, U.S. naturalization papers, life insurance policy that has been in effect for at least one year (with date of birth on policy), and all consulate identification cards.  Those applicants under the age of 18 must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate and secondary form of identification showing the date of birth, in addition to sworn consent.

Blood Tests &
Medical Exams:

No blood tests or medical exams are currently required in Illinois.

Applying for Your Marriage License

You MUST apply for your Marriage License in the county in which
your marriage will take place, even if this is not the county in which you reside.

Cook County

Where to Apply:

You MUST apply for your license at a Cook County Clerk's Office.  You may do so at the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60602 (312-603-5656), or at any of the suburban offices located at the Bridgeview Courthouse, Markham Courthouse, Maywood Courthouse, Rolling Meadows Courthouse, and Skokie Courthouse.

Who Applies:

Both the bride and groom must appear in person and present proof of age and proper identification.

Fees:

The fee for a marriage license, which must be paid at the time of application, is $30 cash; no bills larger than $20 will be accepted.

Special Conditions:

If an applicant is recently divorced (within six months prior to applying), a certified copy of the final divorce decree will be required.

Application Period:

Your marriage license must be obtained at least 24 hours prior to the marriage ceremony and is valid for up to 60 days after issuance.

DuPage County

If you're marrying in DuPage County, please contact the DuPage County Clerk's Office at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187 (630-682-7035) for specific information about requirements, procedures and fees.  You may also visit the DuPage County Clerk's website for further contact information.

Will County

Where to Apply:

You MUST apply for your marriage license at the Will County Clerk's Office, Marriage Department, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432 (815-740-4626).  Satellite offices at which you may also obtain your Will County marriage license are the DuPage Township Office Building, 241 Canterbury Lane, Bolingbrook, IL 60440 (630-759-1317) and Crete Township Office Building, 1367 Wood Street, Crete, IL 60410 (708-672-8279).

Who Applies:

Both the bride and groom must appear in person and present proof of age and two forms of proper identification.  One of these two forms of identification must be a certified birth certificate of valid passport.

Fees:

The fee for a marriage license, which must be paid at the time of application, is $15 payable by cash or check.

Special Conditions:

If an applicant's marriage has been dissolved by the death of a spouse, a certified death certificate if required.  If an applicant's marriage has been dissolved by divorce, you must provide final judgement papers with the judge's signature and date of dissolution at the time of application.

Application Period:

Your marriage license must be obtained at least 1 calendar day prior to the marriage ceremony and is valid for up to 60 days after issuance.

Obtaining a Copy of Your Marriage License

In Cook County:

Cook County Clerk's website:
http://www.cookctyclerk.com/

Application for marriage certificate:
http://www.cookctyclerk.com/sub/marriage_licenses.asp

You MUST apply for your license at a Cook County Clerk's Office.  You may do so at the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60602 (312-603-5656), or at any of the suburban offices located at the Bridgeview Courthouse, Markham Courthouse, Maywood Courthouse, Rolling Meadows Courthouse, and Skokie Courthouse.

In DuPage County:

DuPage County Clerk's website:
http://www.co.dupage.il.us/countyclerk/index.cfm

Marriage License information:
http://www.dupageco.org/countyclerk/generic.cfm?doc_id=622

You MUST apply for your license at a Cook County Clerk's Office.  You may do so at the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60602 (312-603-5656), or at any of the suburban offices located at the Bridgeview Courthouse, Markham Courthouse, Maywood Courthouse, Rolling Meadows Courthouse, and Skokie Courthouse.

In Will County:

Will County Clerk's website:
http://www.willclrk.com/home.htm

Marriage License information:
http://www.willclrk.com/vitalrecords.htm

You MUST apply for your license at a Cook County Clerk's Office.  You may do so at the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60602 (312-603-5656), or at any of the suburban offices located at the Bridgeview Courthouse, Markham Courthouse, Maywood Courthouse, Rolling Meadows Courthouse, and Skokie Courthouse.